Improvement in pessaries



NITE STATES OTH() M. MUNCASTER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT VOF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT |N PEssARlEs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 141,069, dated July 22, 1873; application tiled February 14,1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OTHo M. MUNoAsTER,

M. D., of Washington city, District of Columbia, have invented certain Improvements in Stem Pessaries, of which the following is a specification The first part of my invention consists of a plate, A, resting upon the symphysis pubis, through which the pessary-stem is free to move at all times and adjust itself properly. The second part consists in combining with the above a posterior piece, D, running back to the anus, with a slot running through it transversely, for the attachment of the rubber tube. This supports and balances the pessary behind. The ring is attached to a very flexible single stein by a hinge-joint, so that it can rock to the right and left, unless there is a lateral displacement, when it is only made to rock to one side. This mode of attachment of the ring enables the patient by pressing the instrument backward to bring the ring into a vertical position, andto remove it herself with perfect ease. She can also introduce it with remarkable ease.

Figure lis aperspective view ofthe pessary. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the vaginal portion of the pessary, by which it is lengthened or shortened. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the pelvis, showing the position of the internal organs of the female, with the pessary in situ. Fig. 4 is a cnt showing a three-quarter view of a female figure with the pcssary in position, and attached by rubber tubing and straps to an abdominal supporter. Fig. 5 is a cut showing the vaginal portion of the stem which enters the lower end of the cylinder, havinga slot in it for the passage of the screw. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section, also, of the vaginal portion of the pessary, by which it is lengthened or shortened, having the cylinder thicker, and the fastenings within it somewhat different from those -in Fig. 2, to give greater strength to that part of the instrument. Fig. 7 is a cut showing the vaginal portion ofthe stem which enters the cylinder in Fig. 6.

A is a piece of hard rubber or ivory,'shaped to t over the symphysis pubis, with a hole running through the anterior portion of it, in which the front part of the stem works. Itis also perforated on each side by four or six holes, connected on the under side by grooves. Through these silk thread is passed to stitch the rubber straps B B onto plate A. C is the front portion of the stem of the pessary, made of solid silver, running through plate A, and

caught just above it by a tap screwed to the end, said tap lengthening and shortening it, and permitting the whole end to move upward through A when the patient is sitting, thus allowing the instrument to adjust itself to any position with comfort to the patient. D is a small piece, about three-fourths of an inch long, with a slit running transversely through it, for the attachment of the rubber tubes, which support the pessary behind. This piece is of solid silver and very iiexible, so that it can be bent to any angle. It is fastened to the middle of the curve as the stem bends upward to ascend into the vagina, and ext-ends backward nearly to the anus. E is a hollow cylinder, having the upright piece G entering and fastened to one end, and the end of the stem M fitting into the other end. b b are two clamps cut out of Gr. F is a screw passing through the cylinder and the ends b b, drawing them together, and thus holding the end of M in"place. M is the end of the stem which moves in the lower end of cylinder E, having the end m filed out to fit between the clamps b b,- also, having a slot in it to allow it to slide above the screw F. O is a hollow cylinder,

thicker than E, having only one clamp, g, on base of G. This clamp is iiled on the side h, to give it more spring. P is the end ofthe stem which passes into the lower end of the cylinder, with one-hall' liled away that it (p) may slide up by the clamp g. It also has a slot, Q, in it, as shown in Fig. 7. H is the ring, made of hard rubber, and of two sizes. The larger, used in retroversion, retroflexion, and prolapsus, presses up into the posterior cul-de-sac three-fourths of an inch beyond the cervix uteri, when the latter is in the ring.v The smaller size is used for anteversion and anteilexion. This ring is fastened to the vaginal portion of the stem Gr by a joint, T. l,

in Fig. 4, is an abdominal supporter, or simply i a band, with a piece of No. 6 India-rubber tubing attached at a and c, running around each thigh, to hold the supporter or band down. l is u small strap fastened to the sup port for the attachment ot' the rubber tubing L, No. 5, which runs from che posterior purl; of the pessary D, in the hollow of the notes, immediately behind the head of the great trochainter. This strap has the buckle @,allowing the easy removal of the rubber tube, when desired. B B are rubber straps attached by buckles to the supporter or band at fl d, und to the plate A, thus supporting the pessory in front.

I claim-- 1. The plate A to rest over the sympllysis pubis, combined with the pessery-stem which passes through it, and is left free to move within it, as directed.

2. The adjustable fastening, composed of the two clamps upon the upper end of the stem G, combined with the slotted part of the lower end M', all being.;- iuclosed Within the cylinder E, :md all arranged us described.

3. In combination with the above, the loop runnin g backward to the anus, all as directed.

OTH() M. MUNCASTER.

Witnesses:

WM. Gf. HENDERSON, HARRY COLEMAN. 

